Do You Have a High-Tech, High Rollin’ Gambling Den?

Most people are wisely playing it safe during this pandemic scare. It’s the smart choice. Stay at home, safe healthy and do your best to stay positive. One of America’s most popular television personality’s is. With the life or death risks associated with Coronavirus, Phil McGraw, also known as Dr. Phil, has been hedging his bets on social distancing by broadcasting his hit show on CBS from home. We know one thing for certain though, Dr. Phil is a gambler based off of his gambling den.

Viewers have been treated to an inside glimpse of Dr. Phil’s home, and it’s evident the 70-year old has a fascination with cards. The clues have been easy to spot. During a recent episode, for instance, the former clinical psychologist did a segment from his ‘man cave,’ a make-shift studio featuring a circular poker table. The felt is red and pristine, with only his laptop touching it, and mounted on the wall behind is a big screen television monitor, used to host guests and display audience questions and emails. Below that is a glass shelf with memento’s and awards neatly perched on it. Two chairs surround the table, an elegant wooden chair in which he sits and a director’s chair displaying the words ‘Dr. Phil.’ And, in a boss move, parked in behind him is a beautiful Harley Davidson motorcycle.

It’s not all doom and gloom though. With the world on lock down, gamblers like Dr. Phil are still able to get their fix thanks to online casino sites, which have been flourishing ever since self-isolation began. With that in mind, what would your man or woman cave look like? Would it top Dr. Phil’s? Harley aside, it should!

Here are 10 things to consider:

Comfy Chair

This is a must in your gambling den. With bankroll management in mind, gamblers have to consider the bottom line. With comfort in mind, they have to think about just their bottom. Bum’s the word, right? The chair you choose is vital. A quick search on Yahoo for ‘best gambling chairs’ will produce a plethora of results, and it makes sense. Whether you are sitting for hours playing the Sunday Million on PokerStars or playing Grand Theft Auto on the Xbox, your derrière takes a beating.

One of the most important considerations when shopping for a gaming chair is size. Gamblers come in all different shapes and sizes, so make it personal. Is it adjustable? Does it recline? Is it sturdy? These are crucial questions. SecretLab Titan, (C$529), SecretLab Titan XL (C$639) and AKRacing Corp LX (C$449) are three fine options.

Bet the House on a Mouse

Lightning fast isn’t fast enough. The mouse is really just an extension of your hand, and when you’re gambling money you need precision. How many times have you mis-clicked? Has it always been your fault? Invest in a high-quality mouse, comfortable and sized right, to fit the shape of your palm and hand, so that you don’t cramp up at the most inopportune time.

Monitor the Situation

This is one of the more important investments you’ll make. A serious poker player, who multi-tables (plays multiple tournaments or cash games at once), would likely say, “go big or go home,” on this decision. Randy Lew, for example, is a hugely successful poker professional best known for playing 24 tables at once. You think he’s raking in pots on a 13-inch monitor?

There are several 24-30-inch monitors on the market to meet your needs. Serious gamblers will likely opt for two large monitors in their decked-out den, one for the actual game, and the other for any tracking software, strategy charts or other daily business. This helps to prevent overlap and costly mistakes. Choose what fits your gambling den space.

Secure Home Network

Be careful not to overlook this aspect of the online experience. When making bets, it’s imperative your home network is set up correctly, and crucial if you want to avoid costly lag time. You’ll want the best wireless router possible. Most households have numerous devices running on the internet, so it’s important to set up the Quality of Service, an option on most routers today, which will give you the best performance. Also, vital, the default settings on your wireless router, which can prevent hackers from gaining unauthorized access. Can you say passwords and credit card information? Be sure to set everything up correctly and securely.

Supersonic Sound

Think of this as the mood setter for your gambling den. Music can put you in the right of frame of mind for winning, and to-each-their-own. Some like rock and roll, others prefer rap, and the same can be said for sound systems. Some want huge speakers that blare, others want an iPad and headphones. What tune are you playing?

Fridge Magnets?

You’re going to require food and refreshments; the question is how far will you go to quench your thirst or fill an empty stomach? Not all the way to the kitchen, surely. Any optimal set-up should include a portable fridge, fully-stocked with all your favorite goodies. Hungry is the first word in the acronym H.A.L.T., which stands for hungry, angry, lonely and tired, a recipe to put any person off kilter. Don’t let it get to that point. Find a mini unit that matches both the decor of the room and your appetite.

Punching Bag

Bad beats are part of the game. They happen. The dealer hits on 16 and draws a five. You’re all-in with pocket aces and your opponent completes a flush on the river. You need one more bar for the mega jackpot and it comes up blank. Online gambling can be infuriating. It can put you on tilt and cost you money. You know what happens in pinball? Tilt means game over.

So, punch it out. With the advent of boxing workouts and cardio kickboxing, people have more exercise options than ever and a punching bag is perfect. You can lose calories and alleviate stress in your gambling den both at the same time. Everlast, RDX and Last Punch are three quality brands.

Thrills, Spills & Treadmills

On the topic of exercise, you won’t want to become unhealthy by staying glued to your brand-new gaming chair. Exercise is a must. You might consider a treadmill desk. By all accounts, the Nordic Track Desk Platinum Treadmill is one of the nicer models on the market, and with a price tag of $3,499.99 at Canadian Tire, it should be. It is sleekly designed, with an LCD display built into the desktop and a USB charging port for your phone, keyboard, or mouse.

“Massage Please!”

Massage therapists are commonplace in brick and mortar casinos. They charge by the minute, and they are worth every penny. Why not bring this concept home? There’s a litany of electronic machines out there that promise relaxation from head to toe, and they should be taken advantage of. Shiatsu massage pillows, deep kneading foot pads, eye massagers, electric hand palm acupuncture kits, deep tissue machines and hand-held back massagers are just a few options available.

A Room with a View

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so have fun with wall art in your new gambling den. Whether it’s a school drawing from your children or a Van Gogh, treat your walls as an open canvas. Select inspirational items that help create a soothing and positive environment for gambling. If bare walls are your thing, that’s okay too.

Fun Fact: The company Despair produces a line of de-motivational art it says works more effectively is this regard. On its website, despair.com, you’ll find the innovative sales pitch, “motivational products don’t work, but our ‘demotivator’ products don’t work even better.”

Mobile Device

Always expect the unexpected. There is nothing worse than being chip leader in a poker tournament and your internet goes down. A mobile device is your safety net. Be prepared and keep it simple. You’ll want a top of the line cellphone or laptop, with all the accessories and apps already downloaded, in case you have to leave in a hurry. Just grab the phone and head to Starbucks.

As for the Harley Davidson, perhaps Dr. Phil has it right. Follow these tips and, with all your winnings, you may want to ride off into the sunset.

Share

Derrick Oliver

Derrick Oliver Dewan is the founder of High Roller Radio and has interviewed a number of the world's top poker players and gamblers. A former radio and television broadcaster, Derrick was brand manager for Poker Pro Canada magazine and has written for a variety of publications, including the Toronto Star & Windsor Life.